So You Think You Can Dance

Coming from a point of view of just a "regular person" I watched So You Think You Can Dance and fell in love. It does have a lot of the same tricks as American Idol, but there's one big and important thing that it does not share, and that is when they eliminate the contestants for the purpose that America does not pick the best dancer based on just personality. What actually happens is that America picks the bottom three couples, and then they each have 90 seconds to prove themselves(it is obvious who has practiced or not) and then the judges eliminate two of them. And I think majority of the time, the judges give very good reasons, they are not biased, they are fair. But afterwards, when it comes to the top 5 couples, they are separated and then randomly chosen for one another to see the chemistry they can have with other partners. In that voting process, America chooses who stays and who leaves, until the final four where one is chosen as America's favorite dancer. (not America's best dancer) Another thing I liked about the judging process is that they switch judges to prevent a bias, but they are usually judges of different styles just as the contestants are. The contestants are obviously chosen because of their strength in their own style, but in the process of trying out, they are tested if they can follow different sorts of choreography well to test their versatility and if they can, the judges tell if they are voted into competition or not. But throughout the competition, they do beautiful and fun pieces, which makes the show very addicting to watch because no one knows what type of dance will be chosen for them or how they will do.

So sad and disappointed. This has been my favorite program for many years. This year was simply a cheap version of a spectacular premise. The dancers they chose were not as good. I missed the presence of the past winners. Nigel and Mary were the best part of the show. And finally you cannot be America's favorite dancer if America cannot vote on the favorite dancer. Please please remove the show but bring back its former glory.

The dancers are very talented but no more than in previous years. Missing Nigel and Mary. Their years of experience and expertise are so needed. Twitch is great as a judge and as a former winner of SYTYCD knows what it takes to be a successful dancer. I've watched for years and will continue for at least a few more episodes to give it a fair shot.

I study voice and so when I watch a show like American Idol, I can tell when they're faking it. Worse - they always get away with it. I also dance, so I was not going to turn away an opportunity to watch a dancing American Idol. Way better than the original. You just can't fake it. The dancers are either good or they're bad - no getting around it. The result? An absolutely amazing hour of dances that remind you to love the arts. There's hip hop and ballroom the entire spectrum is covered. I personally can't wait for a second season and would recommend this show to anyone who has ever tapped their foot while listening to music. It's just that good.

NOTE: The 6 rating is for the show itself, the way it's run, not the contestants, these incredible troupers, who deserve a 10.

The thing I like most about this show is how the dancers have to step up each week and perform in a genre that is usually much different than their own; this requires the performers to be unbelievably flexible - not just physically but mentally and emotionally, and most of them are genuinely inspiring to watch.

I don't think the judges are really fair, especially Nigel, who seems to not appreciate anyone whose style and personage is different than the mainstream ideas of gender-acceptability. He has more of a problem with some of the guys, whom he berates for not being 'masculine enough' to take the lead with a female partner. Very limited - and limiting - imagination, he has. I really like Mia Michaels, who's the complete opposite: very open-minded and fair, a true artist and an inspiring creative force.

I also don't think it's fair that the 3 lowest-voted boys and the 3 lowest-voted girls each week get THIRTY SECONDS ONLY to show what they can do individually before the judges make their decisions. This is ridiculous, it's clearly not enough time - they should be given at least 2 minutes or at the very least a minute and a half so they can allow their chosen routine to build a little; with the THIRTY-SECOND time, everyone usually winds up looking frantic. Give these people a break, I say. They have time for a complete performance from a guest star, like Neo, this week, for instance, but they don't have time for the actual contestants? This is absolutely pathetic.

The show is clearly a personality contest, and they admit it. They're not looking for 'America's BEST dancer' but rather 'America's FAVORITE dancer,' and this is okay, because let's face it, any public competition generally winds up being a popularity contest anyway. So at least they're up front about that. I especially appreciate how they show the performers practicing each week in the genre they've found themselves dancing in. Sometimes it looks like they'll never be able to pull it off, but 90% of the time, once they're in their costumes and the audience is present, they manage to shine.

8/16/07 : THRILLED that Sabra won tonight! I didn't think she had a chance; I was sure Neil or Danny would take it, and I have a feeling she felt that way too. I've been watching nearly ever week just to see her numbers - when she dances, you can't take your eyes off her, plain and simple. The judges did get it right about her - she has The Magic. Something you can't buy, steal or be taught. A thrilling performer.

8/8/08 : This time around, I was rooting for either Katee or Joshua to take it, and I couldn't have been any more pleased that Joshua won last night. Another great year, very inspired and inspiring.